A Story, a scripture and a quote

​In this Thanksgiving month the 3 on Thursday team is fittingly writing about gratitude… 

A Story…
I recently started doing The Examen – a prayer by St. Ignatius Loyola.  It is a discipline to help me to recount my day, to give things over to God, and to pray for people and situations that I have encountered.  It is amazing how often I look back on my day and see so many little gifts that Father God has left for me…a kind word, an important conversation, courage to face something challenging, or a bright yellow tree set against a clear blue sky.  After the Examen review questions, there is a final question, that goes like this…” In light of my review, what is my response to the God of my life?”  Almost, without fail, it is a “thank you, Father!”

A Scripture of Praise…
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9
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A Quote…
One of my favorite first ladies was Eleanor Roosevelt.  Illinois governor, Adlai Stevenson, had this to say about her in his memorial address to the United National General Assembly on November 9th, 1962, the day after her passing:
“Yesterday, I said that I had lost more than a friend -- I had lost an inspiration: for she would rather light candles than curse the darkness and her glow had warmed the world.”
She would rather light candles than curse the darkness…  I imagine that she found the secret of gratitude. So, in this month of giving thanks, I pray that we would join with our brothers and sisters in Christ, declaring the praises of Him who called us out of darkness and find the little treasures every day that Our Heavenly Father leaves for us…who knows, maybe in doing so, we’ll shape history too! 😊
Challenge:  Pray.  Four time this week with someone else and every day for someone and then tell them about it! 

With Much Love & Gratitude,
Christina